Hi,

I currently have a project running which cannot be stopped easily.  I have a requirement to change GSD files for a number of devices on the dp/pa network.  If I overwrite the file in the Siemens/Step7/S7Data/GSD folder and then recompile the hardware config, will the new config update all the devices which use this GSD and be downloaded to the PLC?  If not, will I have to 'replace' all the affected devices one by one to update the GSD prior to a download?  If there is an easier way to do this I would also appreciate that knowledge.

To be clear I have 2 GSD files with the same name for the same hardware, and I have a need to update from the older file to a newer file, and I would like this to be as simple as possible, not requiring a full rebuild of the hardware config or if possible not by replacing one by one each of the effected nodes.

many thanks in advance.

Ok.

I have a project from pre 2000 which uses a version of gsd that is no longer able to be used by current hardware on sale from this company (I've been told it's specifically to do with the diagnostic telegram length which has been updated by the profibus standards).

The GSD is named the same for both the old version and new.  I have looked at the file and essentially the new one adds features not in the old-old hardware, but we had been 'dumbing' down the hardware that had been sold as the same until a new updated hardware version failed to communicate.  I need to be able to swap out hardware for calibrations so I have to update the GSD at some point (assuming the old hardware will work with the new GSD.

The question was basically is there a better way than manually replacing each pa node individually.  Which looks to be a pain to be frank.

edit to match edit.  Yes I had read that guide already and searched thoroughly the forums before posting.  I understand the install of GSD files for the step7 software.  Once I have done the replacement of the GSD can I load my project, compile and then dowload to the plc safe in the knowledge that the GSD referenced in 20+ nodes will update with the compile to the new GSD?

thanks

Update:

Project was impossible to build into a test rig sensibly.

so I replaced the old file in step7\s7data\GSD with the new version, hwconfig was re-compiled.  To test I deleted GSD from folder and imported again from the newly compiled project and the GSD saved in the folder was the new one  (old was 4k in size and new was 30k in size).  From this hwconfig was downloaded to PLC and worked OK.

hope this can help other users.

Hi Lost,

What I do is:

1. Open Hardware File

2. Delete the slave in your profibus/profinet network and save the project

3. Close Hardware

4. Open the File “<drive>:\Program Files\Siemens\Step7\S7DATA\GSD”

5. Delete the GSD file you want

6. Open Hardware and "Update Catalog"

7. Install your new GSD (new version) by clicking in "Install GSD File"

Bests